People ask me, “What is Hospice?”

I almost cannot answer, certainly not glibly or very succinctly.

Hospice honors dying, not so much death, as dying.

It is where the dying come to rest, to be cared for, to be honored.

It is where the dying come to find peace, to prepare for the new beginning. It is where the dying come to die in community, the community of friends, family, ancestors, descendants, and the community of nature and of spirit.

Hospice is where the dying come to leave their great gifts for others and to be thanked for all their gifts of wisdom.

Hospice is where the dying come to tell stories, share memories and gain perspective.

It is where the dying come to receive and grant forgiveness

and sum up a lifetime with friends, family, community.

Hospice is where the dying come to connect with the Life Source and to contact ancestors and spirit guides to help with the transition.

Hospice is a place of active dying, not leaving it in the hands of others or drugs or machines.

Hospice can be Oneness, Joy, Ecstasy.

Hospice can be Peace and Letting Go.

Life began in a Garden called Eden--

Let mine end in that garden called Hospice.

Love,

John Chuchman